LAS PIÑAS CITY — The Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) IV-A, through its Standards,, Accreditation, and Monitoring Section (SAMS), completed 85 monitoring and validation visits to Child Caring Agencies (CCAs), DSWD Residential Caring Facilities (RCFs), and other Social Work Agencies (SWAs) across CALABARZON during the first semester of 2026, reinforcing regulatory oversight and strengthening the delivery of Adoption And Alternative Child Care (AACC) Programs and Services under Republic Act No. 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act.

The regionwide monitoring covered Social Work Agencies operating 24-hour residential care facilities for children and included validation of agencies listed in the regional masterlist. The validation verified agencies that had ceased operations, transitioned to community-based programs, or no longer provided services to children, ensuring accurate records for regulatory planning and service coordination.

Conducted pursuant to NACC Memorandum Circular No. 3, Series of 2024, the visits assessed the quality of Adoption and Alternative Child Care services, reviewed children’s case progression toward permanent family placement, identified operational and compliance gaps, and established action plans supported by technical assistance to strengthen compliance with national standards.

During the visits, SAMS reviewed the quality of Adoption and Alternative Child Care (AACC) services, assessed children’s case progression toward permanent family placement, identified operational and compliance gaps, and worked with agencies to develop action plans that support timely permanency planning. Technical assistance was likewise provided to strengthen institutional capacity and improve adherence to national standards. The findings affirm the need for continued policy orientation, information dissemination, and technical assistance to help Social Work Agencies comply with national standards and strengthen alternative child care services.

Flor Cervantes, Social Welfare Officer II of the Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Section, said effective child care extends beyond compliance with regulatory standards.

 “Monitoring allows us to look beyond documentation and examine how services are translated into    meaningful outcomes for children,” Cervantes said.

“Our responsibility is to help partner agencies strengthen their systems, improve case progression, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow in a safe, stable, nurturing, and permanent family.” Cervantes added.

The monitoring program supports the broader implementation of Republic Act No. 11642 by addressing barriers that affect the delivery of adoption and alternative child care services, including the limited number of accredited agencies, delays in permanency planning, and the need for stronger child-centered practices across Social Work Agencies. Through sustained monitoring, technical assistance, and collaborative engagement with partner institutions, RACCO IV-A continues to advance a more responsive adoption and alternative child care system that upholds the best interests of every child.